2522. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason an 'underattendance exemption' under the national childcare scheme does not apply to a child (details supplied); if she can confirm whether an 'underattendance exemption' will apply where the HSE have recommended that a child with autism attend an Early Intervention Class during the morning time, and their childcare provider in the afternoon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25783/26]

2526. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a child (details supplied) was denied an under attendance exemption to allow them continue to attend a creche under the national childcare scheme in the afternoons after completing early intervention appointments for non-verbal autism in the mornings; if she accepts that the failure to approve this under attendance exemption leaves this child's family in a position where they must choose between early intervention and childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25876/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2522 and 2526 together.

Many families avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare. NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. The accurate recording of a child’s attendance is a core obligation under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 for early years providers and is one of the conditions set out in the NCS funding agreement.

In general, if a child under-attends for eleven consecutive weeks followed by one full week of attendance, no action will be taken and the child's subsidy will not be revised. The child can follow this attendance pattern indefinitely and the award will not be revised. It is only if continual under-attendance is recorded for a consecutive 12 weeks that the award will be revised to reflect the child's actual hours.

However, under the NCS rules special circumstances may allow under-attendance for 16 weeks or longer. Special circumstances include under-attendance due to regular medical or therapeutic appointments for the child, the parent, or a sibling. Where these circumstances arise, subsidies may continue to be paid for a further four weeks, meaning under-attendance can continue for up to 16 weeks without impacting the subsidy. This four-week extension may be extended further, strictly at the discretion of the Scheme Administrator, where a letter is submitted providing evidence of a series of medical or therapeutic appointments over a clearly defined period. Therapeutic and medical appointments provided by the HSE are not counted towards under-attendance.

In this case, the Scheme Administrator has confirmed that there has been no correspondence received from either the applicant or the service provider in relation to an under-attendance exemption.

The family is encouraged to apply for an under-attendance exemption for reason of therapeutic and medical appointments. The form to do so can be found on the Early Years Hive under NCS Documents. The parent may ask their service provider to submit this form on their behalf, or it can be submitted directly to the Parent Support Centre, either online or by post.

If assistance is required in completing the form, the parent should contact the Parent Support Centre by phone at 01 906 8530 or via the contact form on the NCS website.

Likewise, if the service provider needs any additional support in filing an under-attendance exemption or understanding the allowable exemptions, they should contact the Early Years Provider Centre for support. The Early Years Provider Centre can be reached by phone at 01 511 7222 or by email at EYPC@pobal.ie.